 When he was a prime minister for the Kingdom of Piémont-Sardaigne, Camille de Cavour concluded the "risorgimento" to the profit of the Savoy House, with the aid of his old friend, the emperor Napoleon III.Consequently, the county of Nice and the duchy of Savoy were annexed by France in the spring of 1860 by the "Treaty of Annexation of March 24" ().The Château de Thorens contains the personal effects of this statesman, his furniture, and his works of art; in particular, the sumptuous desk in the style of "Boulle Napoléon III" on which was signed the Treaty of Annexation.